"Any Dream Will Do" was the popular follow-up to "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" where Andrew Lloyd Webber turned the process of casting the role of Maria in The Sound of Music into a reality show. The result was the choice of Connie Fisher for the role by the BBC viewing populace. She opened as Maria to rave reviews. The popularity of the show convinced producer David Ian to bring it here to America to cast a revival of Grease ("Grease: You're the One That I Want") which didn't do too well but produced two stars: Max Crumm and Laura Osnes, who will be taking over for Kelli O'Hara as Nellie in South Pacific. Webber though decided to use the same formula but this time cast for one of his shows. He set out to find Joseph for Joseph and the Amazing Color Dreamcoat.
The show's first two to three episodes are similar to American Idol: you see the countless auditions but rather than being told they are going to Hollywood, the young hopefuls are sent to another round of auditions. The fifty who survive this round are sent to "Joseph School" where instructors and judges focus on each contestant while improving the skills they will need to play the role. The twenty-something that graduate Joseph School are sent to a performance attended by Andrew Lloyd Webber and everyone who lives near him. After this, Webber calls the hopefuls in and tells them "Who could be Joseph" and "Who isn't Joseph" until there are twelve finalists.
The live shows begin then and proceed like this:
1. Opening number performed by all the hopefuls, always a song from the musical
2. Introductions
3. The contestants sing, usually in pairs for the beginning
4. The two stand before the judges who tell them their strong points and weak points. Usually the fun part because someone usually ends up arguing with John Barrowman.
5. Little interviews and funny shots in between
6. Another group number.
The next day, the results show begin:
1. Reprise of the opening number from the day before
2. Introductions
3. Video of the "Joseph Mission" (My personal favorite was when they had to perform in only a loincloth in front of their mothers)
4. The judges are asked who they think isn't Joseph.
5. Host Graham Norton reads off those who are safe and those who aren't. It's varied so the first name called could be safe or could not. Also, just because they are called first and safe doesn't mean they have the most votes. This number is never revealed--only the person with the least amount of votes is told.
6. The bottom two perform one song in a "sing-off"--Webber has the final say in who stays and who goes. This power is taken away for the semi-finals and finals.
7. Webber makes his decision.
8. The remaining contestants sing "Poor, Poor Joseph" and the booted contestant sings "Close Every Door" as he is stripped of his colored coat. He ends the song on top of the stairs as the audience applauds.
I watched "Any Dream Will Do" because I was absolutely addicted to "Grease: You're the One that I Want." However, I was forced to watch it via the nice people on YouTube, but the BBC has to be the best at getting its material taken down off the site. (Really, try finding a Doctor Who episode after it's aired. It's hard). So to avoid this, many who posted on YouTube only posted performances and as much of the judging as they could. So, even though I know the winner, I will be tuning in to see the whole shows as they were meant to be watched.
And yes, I'll be recapping 'em for the Americans just tuning in.
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